Browne and Hutton to face Basra control quiz

The Chilcot Inquiry will look into Britain’s stewardship of Basra and southern Iraq following the 2003 invasion today, as it takes evidence from two defence secretaries who held office after the toppling of Saddam Hussein.

Des Browne and John Hutton are likely to be asked about the UK’s handling of the insurgency in southern Iraq, which claimed the lives of dozens of British personnel.